Front Sway Bar End Links & Bushings

The Mustang's front sway bar is attached to the lower control arms with end links that consist of long bolts,
with washers and bushings where the bolts pass through the sway bar on one end and the lower control arm on the other.
In its stock configuration, the front sway bar is mounted so that the lever ends are approximately parallel to a line drawn
through the lower control arm bushings. When a Mustang is lowered by installing aftermarket springs, this geometry is changed.
It can be restored by installing new (shorter) sway bar end links.

The stock end link on a '94-'01 Mustang measures 3-9/16". You can buy shorter end links in varous lengths from
Energy Suspension Co. Their lengths and part numbers are listed in the chart below, along with the drop
they will give when used to replace a stock endlink.

Energy Suspension Endlinks

Length

Part number

Drop

1"

9.8122

2.56"

1-5/8"

9.8120

1.94"

2-3/8"

9.8125

1.19"

2-5/8"

9.8117

0.94"

2-7/8"

9.8118

0.69"

3-3/8"

9.8119

0.19"

3-9/16"

9.8124

none

Since my car is dropped 1", I purchased Energy Suspension part number 9.8117, which is a $15.00 kit
that includes two end links 2-5/8" long plus new urethane bushings, washers, and nuts. I ordered the kit
on-line at www.suspension.com, but you can get Energy Suspension products
over the counter at most auto parts stores.

The stock end links are one piece. The new end links consists of a bolt and sleeve. That permits some fine
tuning of length (you can cut down the sleeve or add washers), but makes them a little more difficult to install. There are lots of loose pieces to hold together while
you put the sway bar in place.

This shows the old and new end links on the car, at approximately normal ride height. It is difficult to see in the right hand photograph, but
the lever arm of the sway bar is now very close to parallel with a line drawn through the lower control arm bushings. When installing the sway bar link nuts,
torque them to 14 ft-lb (just enough to slightly compress the bushings).

Is this modification really necessary on a car lowered only 1 inch? Maybe not. But it's one more step toward getting the suspension geometry right,
and it only cost $15.00